COVID-19

All races are cancelled until the lock-down is lifted. As compensation for Mercia members we are extending membership by a year for those that have already paid. You should have received an email about this. In the meantime there are some solo sessions you can try on FaceBook here (you need an FB account to see these).

WEEKLY CHALLENGES

Our head coach is setting us weekly challenges which are compatible with the current lockdown rules. We had over 20 take part in the inaugural challenge last week! See info HERE to take part in the next/current challenge. Previous results are at the following links: Covid19 5km Challenge (April 13-17)

NEWS

Scroll down for the latest news from Mercia Fell Runners.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 RACES

The rules and list of events for the 2020 club champs are HERE.
Trophy Winners for the 2019 Club Championship can be seen HERE.New for 2020: An 'ultra' championship. Details are HERE.

TRAINING

No training at present due to Covid-19 restrictions - see this NEWS ITEM for update post slight relaxation of lockdown on JUne 1st. Informal training groups meet on the Longmynd and on the Wrekin and in the Lickey Hills on Thursday nights. The Longmynd group venue is posted on Facebook each week; the Wrekin group meets at the gate at the bottom of the main path at Forest Glen at 19:15; the Lickey Hills group venue is also posted on the above Facebook page. These groups are not exclusive to Mercia and whilst we may do some training such as hill reps there is not always a qualified coach, so you take part on the understanding it is at your own risk. There is also an informal social run on a Tuesday night from Church / Little Stretton - info HERE.

GILL HARRIS ROUND

We have our own mini-Paddy Buckley (takes 3-6 hours)! For info on the Gill Harris Long Mynd Tops ChallengeClick Here. The records were updated 28/12/2018, click here to see details of the 26 completed rounds. The records are 2:52 by Pete Vale and 4:24 by Helen Stokes.

RACE ORGANISERS

SERIES RACE COMPETITORS

When filling an entry form for a race make sure your name is written very clearly and exactly the same for every race (e.g. always Andy and not sometimes Andrew). Mistakes are hard to correct as the results are published in many places (usually shortly after the race). NB: The Outdoor Depot in Church Stretton sponsor the Shropshire Series races and offer a 10% discount on running gear to all Mercia members.

VOLUNTEER ROTA

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

A private group for Mercia members is HERE (you need an FB account to access this group).
There is also a public group for all things "Shropshire fell running" HERE (no FB account required to view this group).

HASHTAG YOUR TWEETS #merciafr

England Athletics have released new guidance, appropriate to the current guidelines stating that people can meet up to six others from separate households, and exercise outdoors. Coaches and leaders are now allowed and covered with insurance to do sessions to the ratio of 1:5.
To do this you must also have a completed risk assessment, and have ppe in your possession, plus hand sanitiser. Also, after the session all members must leave and not congregate.

Many of you will be aware there was a slight relaxation of the Coronavirus lockdown regulations in England effective from today, 1st June 2020.

The new regulations specify that the maximum number of people who can meet in England is six. England Athletics advice is that coached groups can now comprise up to five athletes plus a coach, provided distancing is observed. A risk assessment must also be in place.

Starting on Monday 20th April until Friday 25th (midnight), the Mercia Virtual Vertical challenge.
The Covid19 5k Challenge favoured the flat areas, this will favour hilly. This could be your hill session for the week, always thinking about training ;-)

Rules:-

1. 30 minute timer, which starts at the bottom of the hill you run.
2. Run as much vertical climb in 30 minutes as possible.
3. Hills must be within running distance from home to prevent unnecessary travel.

Rules:

1. Follow government guideline - no travel to do this, maintain social distancing etc etc.
2. Run 5k
3. Email your time and elevation climbed to coaching@merciafellrunners.org.uk - every 100ft/30m of climbing gets you a 10 second bonus (nowhere near enough, be like Tim P, go downhill).